Wader ID virtual training (2 sessions, Mondays 7pm)

Level

Improver

Presenter

Nick Moran, Emily Cuff

Date

Monday, October 25, 2021 - 19:00 to Monday, November 1, 2021 - 19:00

Places

Fully booked

Improve your identification of passage and winter waders in this two-part online course.

For priority booking on our UK-wide online courses, please consider becoming a BTO member. Find out about BTO memberships.

This course involves two weekly online sessions of 90–100 minutes, with a trainer:participant ratio of about 1:30. Participants' microphones are muted during the sessions but there is a large interactive component, using chat messaging, polls and non-verbal signals to your webcam. The live sessions are complemented by supported self-study exercises which participants are encouraged to complete between the sessions. We place a strong emphasis on providing tools and techniques that will help you to continue your learning after the course.

In order to participate you will need:

• broadband of sufficient speed to view live video
• a computer with sound and ideally a webcam, or a tablet/smartphone.

Wader ID complements two other courses run during autumn 2021: a two-session Waterbird ID course and a one-session course on survey skills for the Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS). 

The training will be run by BTO staff Nick Moran and Emily Cuff, both experienced birdwatchers, surveyors and trainers.

The two sessions will be as follows:

SESSION 1: Identifying larger waders – Monday 25 October, 7–8:45pm
We will introduce the most important elements of wader identification, using a range of interactive activities. The main species that we will cover in this session are Black- and Bar-tailed Godwits, Curlew and Whimbrel, Redshank, Greenshank and Spotted Redshank.

SESSION 2: Identifying sandpipers and plovers – Monday 1 November, 7–8:45pm
Building on a self-study exercise on Common, Green and Wood Sandpiper, we'll take a closer look at how to identify this tricky group. In the remainder of the session we will look at Ringed and Little Ringed Plovers, and three waders that can cause confusion: Sanderling, Knot and Ruff.

COST: The programme of two weekly online sessions and supported self-study exercises costs £20.

Participants are strongly encouraged to attend both sessions to get the maximum benefit. We are unable to offer single sessions at a reduced price but if the cost is prohibitive or you have any other questions about the course, please contact us at training [at] bto.org.

This course is designed for amateur birdwatchers and bird survey volunteers – professionals seeking training should contact us by email.

After booking you should receive an automatic confirmation email. If this doesn’t arrive, please check your spam/junk email folder and if it is not there, or you have any other questions or booking issues, please email us at training [at] bto.org